Career and Education Opportunities for Chemists in New Jersey

New Jersey has a population of 8,707,739, which has grown by 3.49% over the past 10 years. Nicknamed the "Garden State," its capital is Trenton, though its largest city is Newark.

About 6,400 people are currently employed as chemists in New Jersey. By 2016, this is expected to shrink by 2% to 6,300 people employed. This is not quite as good as the national trend for chemists, which sees this job pool growing by about 2.5% over the next eight years. Chemists generally conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or chemical experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

Chemists earn about $34 hourly or $70,840 yearly on average in New Jersey and about $31 per hour or $66,230 annually on average nationally. Chemists earn less than people working in the category of Physical Sciences generally in New Jersey and less than people in the Physical Sciences category nationally. Jobs in this field include: patent chemist, formulary chemist, and food chemist.

In 2008, there were a total of 5,176,293 jobs in New Jersey. The average annual income was $51,473 in 2008, up from $50,364 in 2007. The unemployment rate in New Jersey was 9.2% in 2009, which has grown by 3.7% since the previous year. Approximately 29.8% of New Jersey residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in New Jersey include wholesale trade, durable goods merchant wholesalers, and drugs' sundries merchant wholesalers. Notable tourist attractions include the Newark Museum, the Market Amusement Inc, and the Morris Museum.

CITIES WITH Chemist OPPORTUNITIES IN New Jersey

JOB DESCRIPTION: Chemist

Chemist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, chemists conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or chemical experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.

Every day, chemists are expected to be able to listen to and understand others in meetings. They need to read and understand documents and reports. It is also important that they articulate ideas and problems.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in New Jersey include:

Astronomer. Observe, research, and interpret celestial and astronomical phenomena to increase basic knowledge and apply such information to practical problems.

Atmospheric Scientist. Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses.

Chemical Laboratory Technician. Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for purposes, such as research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist. Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing knowledge of various scientific disciplines may collect, synthesize, and take action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, and other sources.

Environmental Technician. Perform laboratory and field tests to monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution, including those that affect health. Under direction of an environmental scientist or specialist, may collect samples of gases, soil, and other materials for testing and take corrective actions as assigned.

Geological Specialist. Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, crystallographers, and seismologists.

Hydrologist. Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; study the form and intensity of precipitation, its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and its return to the ocean and atmosphere.

Soil Scientist. Conduct research in breeding, physiology, and management of crops and agricultural plants, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

LOCATION INFORMATION: New Jersey

New Jersey photo by Derek Jensen

New Jersey has a population of 8,707,739, which has grown by 3.49% in the last 10 years. Nicknamed the "Garden State," its capital is Trenton, though its most populous city is Newark. In 2008, there were a total of 5,176,293 jobs in New Jersey. The average annual income was $51,473 in 2008, up from $50,364 the previous year. The unemployment rate in New Jersey was 9.2% in 2009, which has grown by 3.7% since the previous year. Roughly 29.8% of New Jersey residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in New Jersey include wholesale trade, durable goods merchant wholesalers, and drugs' sundries merchant wholesalers. Notable tourist attractions include the Morris Museum, the New Jersey Historical Society, and the A P Personal Limo.